The importance of processing a sexual assault crime scene properly cannot be emphasized enough. Sexual assault cases are actually two crime scenes—one is the location of the occurrence and the other is the body of the victim. These scenes require not only a comprehensive crime scene search, but also swift examination and questioning of the victim. AMU professor Dena Weiss, a 17-year crime scene investigator (CSI), explains the various pieces of evidence a CSI is searching for and collecting as well as how police officers can help preserve key evidence in sexual assault cases.
By Dr. Dena Weiss
The first officer at the scene walks a fine line regarding their actions at a crime scene. Upon arrival, crime scene investigators (CSI’s) would like to be provided a general idea of what occurred, but at the same time they do not want an officer to disrupt the crime scene.
Law enforcement often builds criminal cases around the forensic evidence found at crime scenes. Learn why humility is key to working a case honestly and methodically.
Not everyone is cut out to be a crime scene investigator. In this episode, hear from a 24-year career CSI about managing stress, working with officers to preserve evidence, and educational recommendations for aspiring CSIs.
Wildfires: Fortunately, there are several forensic methods available to identify disaster victims and give closure to grieving friends and families.
Should social workers respond to violations by a homeless person instead of police? Statistics reveal the homeless, who often suffer from mental illness, engage in troubling criminal behavior. As a compromise, some agencies have created a homeless outreach program with officers, medics, and mental health professionals. Learn the pros and cons of such a program.
COVID-19 has begun to mutate, causing some concern within the scientific community, which is vigorously searching for a vaccine.
Women have been proven equal to men as police officers – and they should be actively encouraged to join our law enforcement communities.